Prairie blazing star (gayfeather) Liatris pycnostachya
Prairie blazing star (gayfeather) (Liatris pycnostachya) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Tallgrass prairies of the central United States. It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
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Prairie blazing star (gayfeather) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tallgrass prairies of the central United States |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Prairie blazing star (gayfeather) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Prairie blazing star (gayfeather)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Prairie blazing star (gayfeather)
- How far apart should I plant Prairie blazing star (gayfeather)?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Prairie blazing star (gayfeather) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Prairie blazing star (gayfeather) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Prairie blazing star (gayfeather)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Prairie blazing star (gayfeather) flower?
- From about July for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Prairie blazing star (gayfeather) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Prairie blazing star (gayfeather)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Prairie blazing star (gayfeather). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Illinois Wildflowers (descriptions and insect-visitor records), John Hilty, illinoiswildflowers.info
Notes and assumptions
- A tallgrass prairie plant: deep roots make it drought-proof once established; it wants sun and lean soil (rich soil makes it flop). Leave the stems standing in winter for seed-eating birds and overwintering insects.
- Dense, tall spikes of fluffy magenta-purple flowers that open from the top down in midsummer, a magnet for butterflies and bumblebees. Grows from a corm and takes wetter soil than other blazing stars.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus